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observatory lost statues

The Paseo del Bosque is the Astronomical Observatory of La Plata , which began to be built in 1884 under the leadership of Francisco Beuf French astronomer who collaborated in the construction Ng in the design with architect Benoit.

Its construction was completed a few years d fter, but strangely in the main building APARE never Cieron the six sculptures contained in the original project. Currently there are only empty niches can see the names of scientists who were to be honored: Johannes Kepler , Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei , Pierre Simon Laplace , François Arago and Urbain Le Verrier.

For many years nobody knew anything about these sculptures, and various legends arose there. One of them said that the statues had been shipwrecked along to ba rco that brought Europe, where windows were also transported to the Cathedral. The other claimed that the ship had run aground in Uruguay, where they were landed pa ra definitely stay there. Thanks to research recently s , was able to solve this enigma. We found documents indicating that Beuf had commissioned works by French sculptor Henri Allouard , who accepted the job and sent sketches of how they would be. But then the director of the observatory was killed and the new authorities will respond to Alloard not have the money to pay the sculptures, so they were never brought to La Plata .

After finding these documents along with the sketches submitted by Allou ard, was created "Project Beuf "to find artists who could n perform the missing pieces in the building of the observatory. Consultations were many sculptors to make this work or whose proposals f hey were included among the projects that have the faculty Academic Council.





Deputy then some of the letters were found and helped to dispel the legends of the sculptures (click on each for larger view):

• Allouard letter to the director of the observatory:
  Paris, 1 October 1902

Mr. Director
In addition the letter that Mr. Fressinez Observatory Paris must have written these days about the decoration of the Astronomical Observatory of La Plata, I would write these lines. I send
included here, photographs of small esquicios he had done at the request of his predecessor, Mr. Beuf. There are more than just pr Ojects those who should not be given too much importance. The figures would 2m.50cm high, including the socket, because if I remember correctly the niches are 3m high.
These figures would cost
In bright white marble 13500F each

In bronze 9000F
In hard stone 11000F
in soft stone 10000F The packaging is included in the price.
The statues chosen by Mr. Beuf, were those of Newton, Laplace, Keppler, Arago, Galileo and Le Verrier.
If you decide to encargármelas, I would be grateful, Lord, send me precisely how the niches with their exact measurements.
Waiting for your reply, I beg you Mr. Director, accept my highest consideration.

Mr. Allonard

• Charter of Paris for the director of the observatory:

Paris, 12 October 1907.

Sir,
In response to the desire that you saw fit to express, to know what he had projected his predecessor, Mr. Beuf, for exterior decoration of the Observatory of La Plata , I have the honor to convey the following information.
had been agreed to be acquired 6 statues, for it had been requested esquicios prices and a very talented French sculptor, Mr. Allonard, residing in Paris, on the street Vavin No. 28 bis.
personally very close to Mr. Beuf, I appeared with him in the e studio of the sculptor, and it was clear that the order of the statues concerned, it would do to an artist who had already submitted the esquicios of the 6 statues.
The height of the statues should be of 2.50 m, including the socket, since the height of the niches are had reported 3 meters.
The price of each statue in white marble of good quality clear, he had noticed 13.500F, including packaging, that is, in round numbers for the 6 statues: 80,000 francs. In bronze, the price quoted was 9.000F each, including packaging.
If you had the intention to take up this matter with Mr. Allonard, should send the plan and profile of niches and to contact him. It is an outstanding artist, who won here, the top honors, was President of the Jury at the Exhibition, is an officer of the Legion of Honor and offers the best guarantees in all reports.
Mr. Allonard could also send the esquicios had under consideration Mr. Beuf, still possesses. It was, if memory does not betray me, to represent Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, Laplace, Arago.
Kindly, Sir, consider me at your disposal and accept my highest consideration.

[Signature]
Secretary of the Paris Observatory.
F. For the Lord Porro di Somenzi,
Director of the Astronomical Observatory of La Plata.

• Note that the power is without funds to purchase the sculptures:

March 9, 1909.

N or disposing of funds for the purpose expressed
FILED






Photos:
1. Empty niches in the observatory if the statues, which are absent.
2. Photos of the sketches of statues, sent more than 100 years (from left to right and top to bottom: Arago, Galileo, Kepler, Laplace, La Verrier, Newton)
3. Letter to the director of the observatory Allouard
4. Charter of Paris for the director of the observatory.
5. Note that the power is without funds to purchase the sculptures.

Sources:
"mysterious sculptures in the observatory, Hoy
"The Mystery of the sculptures", La Plata Magic
Page Museum of Astronomy and Geophysics, UNLP